AUBURN: After a year of rebuilding, the Tigers return 16 starters in 2012 and should regain their position near the top of the SEC. All of their success, however, will depend on the performance of the winner of the QB battle between Clint Moseley and Barrett Trotter. Star RB Michael Dyer followed offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn to Arkansas State, leaving undersized Onterio McCalebb as Auburn's only proven runner. The Tigers will need to pass the ball better this season to keep defenses honest. However, Auburn should have one of the better defenses in the SEC with nearly all of its players returning on that side of the ball. Given the experience they gained last season, this unit could end up being among the SEC's elite.

OLE MISS: Ole Miss had a lot of trouble on both sides of the ball last year, and that could be the case again in 2012. The Rebels scored just 16.1 PPG (5th-least in FBS) and allowed 32.1 PPG (96th in nation). New head coach Hugh Freeze hopes to change all that, but his team doesn't have a clear choice at quarterback, and in the SEC that's a problem. The running game will struggle due to an inexperienced offensive line even though Jeff Scott (529 rush yds, 6 TD) is a capable running back. On defense, the team is looking to improve on a year in which it finished last in the SEC in sacks and Tackles For Loss. This secondary is strong, but the front seven struggles stopping the run (224 rush YPG allowed) and pressuring the quarterback.